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Ducks are fascinating creatures that can be found in various bodies of water around the world. One common question encountered when observing ducks is how to determine whether they are male or female. While it may seem challenging at first, there are several key characteristics and behaviors to look out for that can help identify the gender of these beautiful birds. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the distinguishing features between male and female ducks, enabling readers to confidently differentiate between the two. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, a bird watcher, or simply curious about these waterfowls, this topic will offer valuable insights into recognizing the telltale signs that reveal the gender of ducks.
This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Then, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian in a clinic for over a decade.
There are 15 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 31,710 times.
The duck is a waterfowl that usually lives near rivers, lakes, and swamps. [1] XSources of study Depending on the species, the differences between male and female ducks may not be obvious. However, your ability to distinguish male and female ducks will be better if you know what to watch and listen for.
Steps
Color, vocalization and gender feather recognition
- The Mallard Duck is sexually dimorphic, meaning that males and females have different appearances. The female has brown and rather dull plumage, while the male has a colorful purple band on the wings and iridescent multicolored plumage.
- In the Canvasback, the male has white or light gray plumage. The female is gray-brown. [5] XResearch Sources
- In Wood Duck, the male has gray feathers with blue streaks on the wings during mating season. The female’s plumage is usually grayish brown. [6] XResearch Sources
- Both male and female Mottled Ducks have the same coat color, so it is difficult to tell the difference based on feather color alone. [7] XResearch Sources
- In blue-necked ducks, the male’s beak is bright yellow, and the female’s beak is brown and orange. [8] X Trusted Source The Cornell Lab of Ornithpogy Go to Source[9] XResearch Source
- The empty Mottled Duck’s bill ranges from olive green to yellow. The female’s beak is brown to orange with dark spots. [10] XResearch Source
- The Wood Duck has a red bill with a yellow patch underneath. [11] XResearch Source
- During the mating season, the Ruddy Duck’s beak turns light blue. [12] XResearch Source
- Female ducks have no sex feathers. [16] XResearch Source
- The sound of ducks can help you distinguish male and female ducks from 1 month old. [18] XResearch Sources
- In the Muscovy duck, the female has a vibrato or hum, and the male makes a very low sound and breathes (sounds like ‘huch-uch-uch’). [19] XResearch Source
- The female Gray Teal duck makes a cluck sound, a distinguishing feature from the male. [20] XResearch Source
Observe the duck’s acupoint
- When placing the duck on the table, keep the breast up and the feet facing you. The duck’s tail should protrude from the edge of the table so that the duck can fold its tail down for you to examine. [23] X Trusted Source Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Go to Source[24] XResearch Source
- If you don’t have a firm surface on which to place the duck, you can kneel down and place the duck on your leg so that its tail can fold over your knee. [25] X Trusted Source Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Go to source
- This method is more difficult when testing ducklings, so you should have a professional do it.
- Be gentle when trying to point out the duck’s cloaca and genitals. The duck can be seriously injured if you press too hard.
- Another way to expose the cloaca and genitals is to insert your finger about 1cm deep into the cloaca and rotate the finger to relax the sphincter that closes the cloaca. [28] X Trusted Source Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Go to the source When the sphincter relaxes, you can use two thumbs to separate the walls of the cloaca.
- Immature male ducks have a small and uncovered penis, adult male ducks have a larger and covered penis. [31] XResearch Source
Advice
- A duck’s color will change from infancy to adulthood, so it’s easier to determine the sex of a duck by feather color once it’s fully grown. [32] XResearch Source
- Both males and females have a blue patch on the wing (called the wing eye) and a white border. [33] X Trusted Source The Cornell Lab of Ornithpogy Go to source
- In some duck species such as the South American duck, the female has the same coloration as the male. [34] XResearch Sources
Warning
- The point test method is not applicable to newly hatched or 1-day-old ducks. Failure to do so can result in serious injury to the duck or death of the duck. [35] XResearch Source
This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Then, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian in a clinic for over a decade.
There are 15 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 31,710 times.
The duck is a waterfowl that usually lives near rivers, lakes, and swamps. [1] XSources of study Depending on the species, the differences between male and female ducks may not be obvious. However, your ability to distinguish male and female ducks will be better if you know what to watch and listen for.
In conclusion, identifying the sex of ducks can be challenging but with careful observation and knowledge about their physical characteristics and behaviors, it is possible to distinguish between male and female ducks. Key points to look for include the presence of colorful plumage and distinct markings on males, whereas females tend to have more subdued colors. Additionally, observing courtship behaviors such as head-bobbing and aggression can also provide important clues. It is important to keep in mind that while general guidelines can help, there may be variations within species and individual ducks. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult field guides or seek expert advice if unsure. Overall, understanding the differences between male and female ducks can enhance our appreciation and understanding of these beautiful and fascinating creatures.
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